Clarke named Wisden's leading cricketer of 2012

Australian Test captain Michael Clarke has been named Wisden's leading cricketer of 2012.

In an individual boost before 2013's Ashes double header, Clarke has been recognised with Wisden's Leading Cricketer in the World award after a scintillating year with the bat in Test cricket.

Clarke averaged 106.33 at the crease for 2012, scoring a mammoth 1,595 runs, including four double centuries.

He becomes the third Australian to receive the honour after Ricky Ponting (2003) and Shane Warne (2004).

Meanwhile, South Africa's successful tour of England in 2012 saw three of its star players - batsman Hashim Amla, all-rounder Jacques Kallis and fast bowler Dale Steyn - named among Wisden's five Cricketers of the Year.

The honour, separate to Clarke's award, reflects primarily but not exclusively on performances in the previous English season.

Traditionally, the award can only be won once by a player in their career and is the Wisden editor's choice alone.

South Africa won a three-match Test series against England 2-0, with Amla becoming the first South African to score a Test triple hundred in the Proteas' triumph at The Oval.

He went on to top score in eight international innings out of 11 on tour.

Kallis, the pre-eminent all-rounder of his generation, made 182 at The Oval while still bowling at genuinely sharp pace.

If Kallis is regarded as the best all-rounder now in the game, Steyn has the same status as a fast bowler, with the spearhead's career statistics standing up to some of the greatest quicks the game has known.

He overpowered England at The Oval and then starred again when South Africa took the series at Lord's to replace their hosts as the world's top Test side.

The other two winners of this year's award were England batsman Nick Compton, who was honoured for his county exploits with Somerset, and the West Indies' Marlon Samuels.

Compton joins his celebrated grandfather and England batting great Denis, who earned the accolade in 1939.